Chattahoochee Chatter: And now, free-roaming chickens

First it was wild pigs in East Columbus, now it's free-roaming chickens in East Wynnton.

At Tuesday night's Columbus Council meeting, Councilor Bruce Huff asked City Manager Isaiah Hugley to look into complaints he'd heard from constituents about chickens roaming around the area.

Turns out Hugley was already all over it.

"I have spoken with an individual and have been on site in East Wynnton to see what's going on," Hugley said. "Staff currently has a plan to try to remedy that problem. They've got traps out and they monitor the traps during the day."

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for unlimited digital access to our website, apps, the digital newspaper and more.

They've captured a number of chickens and are shipping them off to a chicken farm in Cusseta, Hugley said.

In case you were wondering, the city's Code of Ordinances states: "The keeping of fowl shall be allowed as an accessory use on any lot two acres or more in size. The number of domestic fowl kept on a given lot shall not exceed the ratio of one bird unit per one acre."

For the record, one bird unit equals 32 chickens.

But apparently if they're caught roaming the neighborhood, it's off to Cusseta.

The Winter Olympic Games kick off today in Sochi, Russia, and Carmike Cinemas says it is supporting Team USA with a "Go For the Gold" concessions promotion.

It's not peanuts, mind you, but popcorn that is up for grabs for each day the United States grabs a gold medal during competition. For example, if an individual or team takes gold for bobsledding or alpine skiing, Carmike says it will give "rewards member" movie-goers -- the next day -- a free small popcorn or a no-charge refill of their annual popcorn bucket.

While the games start today and the opening ceremonies will be broadcast taped on NBC Friday night, the Carmike promotion begins Saturday. The promotion, which will benefit Carmike as well if it puts more movie fans' fannies in its theater seats, runs through Feb. 23, the Columbus-based company says.

To sign up for Carmike Rewards, visit www.carmikerewards.com.

Donna Kemp is retired from the Muscogee County School District, but her sense of humor and quick wit sure are still active.

The former principal of Wesley Heights Elementary and the now-closed Bibb Elementary was the pronouncer at the district's spelling bee Wednesday. During the practice round, one of the competitors asked her to use the word "tough" in a sentence.

Kemp unleashed a zinger: "The practice round isn't very tough."

Family Life Chaplains who provide care and counseling to Fort Benning soldiers and their families have a $2.9 million renovated facility for training.